Closed Session With Firm Rejected

South Windsor Told Public Meeting Needed

March 11, 1996|By CINDY MURPHY; Courant Staff Writer

SOUTH WINDSOR — The town cannot discuss possible concessions with its private tax company behind closed doors, the town attorney has decided. Town Attorney Ralph J. Alexander told town officials Friday that the closed session would be improper, said Mayor William Aman.

Town officials said last week that they planned to hold a closed session tonight to discuss concessions the town might agree to before it approves a pending sale of Northeast Business Services Inc. But questions arose about whether it was legal to hold the meeting behind closed doors, and Alexander was asked for an opinion.

State law says executive sessions may be called to discuss pending litigation, personnel, lawsuit negotiations and other matters.

Barbara Hausen, a lawyer with the state Freedom of Information Commission, said the only provision that might apply would be one that includes discussion of a public officer or employee. But Hausen said she did not think the exemption would be allowed for a private tax collection company, which could be seen as a contractor.

Alexander could not be reached for comment Friday.

With the ruling, the town council will now have to publicly discuss what, if any, concessions it is willing to consider. Northeast has been collecting the town's taxes since July 1994.

Delaware-based Angram Inc. has stated it plans to buy Northeast -- a plan officials from the town and the state Office of Policy and Management say they must approve. Tax company officials have disputed that, saying no provision in their contract with the town requires such approval.

Aman said he had also hoped to discuss the strength of the town's argument about approval being needed. The matters will instead be reviewed when officials from Northeast and Angram come before the council later this year, Aman said.